READING Racers will roar into the new season with a major sponsor - their first for more than a decade.

And the greater success they have on the track then the more money the club will receive.

Euphony Communications, who are based close to Reading Station with nearly 150 employees, have initially agreed a deal for 12 months, but their managing director David Faithful is looking at a much longer association.

"We could be around for five or even seven years, by which time they (Racers) should be at their new stadium," he said.

The company's name will be on the rider's race jackets with their logo incorporated into the club's famous winged-wheel.

The sponsorship is a major boost for Racers as they approach the new campaign which starts with a challenge match for the M4 Trophy at Newport on Sunday week, March 16.

Before that, they are off to Italy for training next week and team manager Ivan Shears said: "This trip has been made possible by the sponsorship so we are extremely grateful to the company."

Euphony are a market leader in the provision of low-cost flexible residential and business call packages throughout Europe, where they have around 350,000 customers.

The Smallmead club's new-look team will now be known as the Euphony Racers.

Reading have not had a major backer since Castlemaine XXXX in 1990, but the tie-up has come about just six weeks after the appointment of fan Paul Hunsdon as commercial manger.

He said the support from Euphony will help immensely in the team's bid for Premier League honours.

"Euphony have been a pleasure to deal with. I'm sure the relationship will be a long and rewarding one for both parties," Hunsdon added.

"The enthusiasm and drive the team at Euphony have is highly impressive."

Promoter Pat Bliss added: "The link-up between Euphony and the Racers is a great boost for the club.

"The promotion and riders will be doing their very best to make this a memorable year for the club.

"We hope this will be just the start of a long and profitable partnership."

Faithful said: "We see speedway as one of the fastest growing spectator sports and our partnership with Reading was a natural step for us.

"Not many people have probably heard of Euphony but we are now entering a further phase of huge growth and this sponsorship will help in brand awareness."

The Euphony partnership does not end with the corporate sponsorship of the team, but also extends to the fans.

The company have agreed to make a £10 donation to the club for every fan that signs up to their service, as well as making a contribution to team funds by donating a minimum two per cent of the total value of calls made each month.

Work in getting Smallmead ready for the opening meeting - the return with Newport on March 17 - is continuing.

Last Sunday a number of fans helped to spruce up the stadium by undertaking a host of small jobs and Mrs Bliss said: "They all did a great job."